The Many Symptoms of Herpes You Should Know About

This entry was posted on December 12, 2018 by Dr. Gordon Huddle.

Herpes is an infection occasioned by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV, for short. This virus goes a long way in affecting the external genitalia, anal region, the skin, and other parts of the body. The infection is a long-term condition, which has the capacity to last in the human system for years. However, so many people do not exhibit symptoms of this virus even though they are carriers of the virus and this can be dangerous when one is not aware of the fact that he/she is infected with the virus.

For emphasis sake, the symptoms include blisters, ulcers, pain when urinating, cold sores, and even vaginal discharge. It is therefore important to bear in mind that there is no cure for herpes but it can be managed using medications and perhaps home remedies.

The Symptoms of Herpes

It is quite intriguing to note that most people may not experience the symptoms of herpes for months or years, jolly going about their daily businesses with no clue they are infected. Also, so many people with HSV have recurring herpes such that whenever someone is infected at the initial stage, the recurrences tend to hide more frequently. Over time, the remission period gets even longer and each occurrence tends to become less severe.

The Primary infection symptoms

It is a term used for an outbreak of genital herpes that takes place when a person is initially infected; therefore it suffices to say that this is the early stage of the disease. Notwithstanding, the symptoms can be quite chronic and may include the following:

Blisters and ulceration on external genitalia in the vagina or on the cervix

Most often time than not, the ulcer will go and the person will not have any lasting scars; however, this depends on the severity and circumstance of the case.

The Recurrent infection symptoms

Symptoms that take place in a recurrent infection tend to be less potent and do not last long since they ought to be in the primary infection stage. In other words, these symptoms usually do not last more than 10 days. They include:

Burning or tingling around genitals before blisters appear

Women may have blisters and ulcer on the cervix

Cold sores around the mouth

Red blisters

The causes of herpes which leads to its symptoms

Whenever there is the presence of HSV on the surface of the skin of an infected individual, such can easily be transmitted onto someone else via the moist and soft skin tissues that line the mouth, anus, and genitals. Also, the virus may spread to another person through other sensitive areas of the skin as well, such as the eyes. Therefore the infection can be transmitted in the following ways:

Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex

Having oral sex with a person who has cold sores

Sharing sex toys

Having genital contact with an infected person.

It is important to note that the virus is most likely to be transmitted just before the blister surfaces, when it is visible, or until the blister is completely gone. HSV can also be passed to another person especially when there are no signs or symptoms of an outbreak, although it rarely happens this way.

Preventing the Symptoms of Herpes

In order to assuage the potency of developing or passing on genital herpes, there are lots of preventive measures that can help reduce the risk of spreading from one person to another most especially when there is an actual contact. The measures include but are not limited to the following:

Usage of condoms during sex

Abstinence while experiencing Herpes symptoms

Staying away from kissing when there is a cold sore around the mouth

Limiting the number of sexual partners to one trusted individual

Treating the Symptoms of Herpes

If one is convinced that he/she has herpes, it is advisable to see the doctor as soon as possible, because, at the early stage, it is easier to diagnose when there are sores. It is important to bear in mind that there is no cure for herpes. However, medication such as acyclovir and valacyclovir tend to fight the virus.

Also, if the symptoms of herpes can be discovered at the earliest time, it suffices to say that the medication will serve as a repellent to the virus, thereby, preventing the symptoms from becoming visible and spreading from one person to another.

That said, it is important you see your doctor when any of the above-listed signs are manifested in your body. Or better still, have a home test kit and use it to diagnose if you are safe or not after such sexual contacts listed above.